5 skills every side hustler needs

How to get your act together

Even as a kid, I made my own clothes. But I never thought it’d turn into a career. Only after I’d spent years in magazines did it occur to me to start my own fashion line, which is now a full-time thing. Here are some strategies I developed during those crazy years when I was juggling both gigs.

Kill your inner perfectionist.

When I started my line, I quickly realised that I needed to sacrifice a little quality if I was going to get anything out the door. It hurt, but it was good for me. Leaving room for improvement the next time around can be exciting.

Don’t think, just act.

Stressing about how little time you have to get stuff done only wastes the little bit of time you have. So just Nike the shit out of it. And the easiest way to do that is…

Set micro-deadlines.

I decide how much time to spend on something, even if it’s only 10 or 20 minutes, and then focus only on that one thing. I might even set an alarm; fabricated urgency heightens focus. If I miss my fake deadline, whatever. The point is that I finished the thing faster, and usually better, than I would have without it.

Work whenever you can.

Some people might tell you to be super regimented about your schedule. I’d tell you the opposite. Sometimes I had the inspiration or adrenaline to work all night, and when that happened I’d go for it – not worrying about how tired I’d be the next day. On the flip side, when I felt wrecked after getting home from work, I would give myself a break, go to bed at eight and wake up early to do whatever I had planned to get done the night before.

Be a temporary hermit.

During crunch times (sometimes an entire month or two in the fashion schedule) I would simplify my life by clearing my social schedule. Do this. Your friends will understand. Tell them what you’re working on and why they won’t see much of you, and then you’re free to become a work monk.